Purple is a versatile color. It can be cute, sensual, sophisticated, vibrant, and edgy. It has also been one of my favorite colors for many years. (See my A Splash of Color: Lilting Lilac (Part 1), (Part 2) & (Part 3).) After a relatively short hiatus, it is great to see purple back on trend for spring 2014. Here are my top 10 purple picks for this season:

For spring 2013, among many fairly colorful makeup collections from various brands, pink and green seem to be two of the trend colors. There is a range of pink hues, from soft peachy pinks to dramatic fuchsia pinks. On the other hand, green has been a key shade for some time (spring 2012 and fall 2012). The palettes from Mary Quant (above) and YSL (below) include both shades.

Purple and green have emerged as the dominant colors for fall 2012. Continuing from the spring 2012 makeup trend, green is still a key player. On the other hand, I am glad that purple is back on trend.

After purples for spring 2011 and blues for fall 2011 (as well as warm-toned and cool-toned neutrals, which have been taking turns to be on-trend in the last few seasons), we have green in its various hues for spring 2012.

Givenchy‘s spring 2012 Instant Bucolique makeup collection features a strong visual (above) and makes a statement with a fresh and spring-like minty green in Le Prisme Eyes Quartet in 79 Bucolic Blossoms. A very similar shade is seen in Venis Please in 178 Bucolic Lily.

Without a doubt, blue is one of the trend colors for fall 2011. Compared with gray from spring 2011, blue can often offer the same depth but with more vibrancy. This season, it is more about an intense smoky look with blue, but there are also softer alternatives.

A bright cobalt blue, NARS‘ Single Eyeshadow in Outremer (below) is one of the most striking blues of fall 2011. Its matte finish and high pigmentation level will surely please those who go for a bolder look.

Summer makeup colors are usually a mixture of earthy bronze-toned hues and more vibrant shades, so rich colors are always around for summer. But, looking at some of the upcoming summer 2011 makeup collections, I think the last time when there was such a full-on array of dazzling colors was probably back in 2005.

After a few seasons of warm neutrals, grey emerges as one of the hottest shades for spring 2011. The looks that incorporate grey are chic and sophisticated, with a feel of low-key glamour. Meanwhile, surprisingly, purples are still at center stage, and, for this season, they are teaming up with warm neutrals for a natural but defined look.

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Silvers & Greys

Dior leads the rest of the field with an ultra-chic Gris Montaigne makeup collection. All the new eye makeup items are grey-toned, and the color theme extends to lip and nail items. You will also find greys in collections from other trend setters such as Guerlain and NARS.

Here is a quick look at NARS‘ spring 2011 makeup collection. One item that really caught my eye is the limited-edition Trio Eyeshadow in Calanque (pictured above and below).

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I generally prefer neutral shades from Japanese brands to those from western brands, as those from western brands are often too warm, too cool, too matte or too frosty for me. But since the colors, finish and texture of Duo Eyeshadow in Kalahari do appeal to me, I am looking forward to Calanque. The amount of warmth and the finish will be the deciding factors…

NARS’ holiday 2010 makeup collection has got some of my favorite makeup colors: violet, lilac, gold, beige and cool pink. Also, I like the look (and the name) of Trio Eye Shadow in Okinawa, even though the colors might not necessarily work particularly well for me.